Myths & Maths - Tooth decay!

Tooth decay occurs when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as milk, pop, raisins, cakes or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. These are all age old theories. The world is slowly waking up to the fact that, when we give the body what it needs, it can heal things we previously thought were impossible. Although levels of tooth decay have decreased over the last few decades, it is still one of the most widespread health problems across the globe. It's estimated that around one in every three adults have tooth decay and a survey of five year old children carried out in the recent past, found that more than one in four had some degree of tooth decay

Research in the recent era has proved that the tooth decay occurs due to:

1. Not enough minerals in the diet.
2. Not enough fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) in the diet.
3. Nutrients not being readily bioavailable, and our intestinal system not properly absorbing them.
4. Over a period of time, if our diet lacks vitamins and minerals from a poor diet and/or contains high levels of phytates (from grains, seeds, nuts, and legumes), the blood chemistry and the ratio of calcium and phosphorous become out of balance, which results in minerals being pulled from bones, causing tooth and bone loss.

So, the long-standing belief that sugar causes tooth decay is true, but as a result of it depleting nutrients from the body, not because bacteria eat it and produce acid that ruins our teeth.

In order to restore the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in our blood, and to enable minerals to bond to our teeth, it is not enough to just avoid eating too many sweet or processed foods. We must also eat health-building foods, containing copious amounts of minerals and vitamins that will build a glassy hard tooth structure.

Foods to focus on are:

• Coconut oil, grass-fed organic dairy (especially butter), grass-fed meats, seafood and bone broths.
• Organic cooked vegetables (soups with bone broth are ideal).
• Organ and gland meats, like liver.
• Limit of foods that are high in phytic acid, like grains, beans, nuts and seeds, as well as limiting processed food intake full of processed flours and sugars that upset blood sugar balance.